The Big Bang Theory is the highest rated comedy on television. How did a show about four socially awkward geniuses and the waitress who lives across the hall suddenly rocket to the top of the ratings? While the show was always high-rated, and Vatican Assassin Charlie Sheen’s spectacular crash-and-burn knocked primetime sitcom king Two and a Half Men (also produced by Chuck Lorre) out of the top slot (Ashton Kutcher notwithstanding), it can also be argued that what truly made the difference was achieving balance in the cast. Namely, adding some more chicks to this sausage fest!
Melissa Rauch’s Bernadette Rostenkowski and Dr. Mayim Bialik’s Amy Farrah Fowler freshened up the show and gave the show lots of new dynamics to explore. It also made it a lot more like Friends. And being more like one of the most successful sitcoms in history ain’t a bad thing. Don’t see the similarities? Check out the handy table below!
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| Name: | Sheldon Cooper, Ph.D., Sc.D. | Ross Geller, Ph.D. |
| Job: | Theoretical Physicist | Paleontologist |
| Defining Traits: | High-strung, obsessive, awkward, nerdy, know-it-alls. |
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| Name: | Howard Wolowitz, M.Eng. | Chandler Bing |
| Job: | Aerospace Engineer | Corporate Executive |
| Defining Traits: | Extreme Mommy Issues. |
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| Name: | Leonard Hofstadter, Ph.D. | Raj Koothrappali, Ph.D. | Joey Tribbiani |
| Job: | Experimental Physicist | Particle Astrophysicist | Actor |
| Defining Traits: | Leonard’s luck with the ladies, plus Raj’s cluelessness, equals one Joey. |
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| Name: | Penny | Rachel Green |
| Job: | Waitress and Aspiring Actress | Spoiled Daddy’s Girl/Waitress/Fashion Stuff |
| Defining Traits: | A little ditzy but fiercely independent and stubborn, these waitresses are devoted and extremely caring to their friends. |
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| Name: | Amy Farrah Fowler, Ph.D. | Phoebe Buffay |
| Job: | Neurobiologist | Masseuse |
| Defining Traits: | Aggressively sexual and socially inappropriate. These ladies do what they want! |
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| Name: | Bernadette Rostenkowski, Ph.D. | Monica Geller |
| Job: | Microbiologist | Chef |
| Defining Traits: | Very maternal and nurturing, as well as passionate, at work and in the bedroom. Plus: Mommy Issues (explains their attraction to Howard/Chandler). |
